A pilgrim smiles even as rain falls during the World Youth Day prayer vigil with Pope Benedict XVI at Cuatro Vientos airfield in Madrid Aug. 20. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

MADRID (CNS) — Hours after firefighters doused overheated pilgrims with much-needed jets of water, the heavens added to their efforts by driving rain and wind onto the more than 1 million young Catholics camping at Cuatro Vientos airbase Saturday night for the World Youth Day vigil.

But the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the pilgrims, who sang and chanted all the louder for Pope Benedict XVI, who entered the airbase to cheers and applause.